We've heard for weeks that Ted Lilly will be one of the more attractive pitchers available at this year's July 31 deadline. According to Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times, Lilly's not the only Chicago southpaw drawing interest either.
Tom Gorzelanny, in the midst of one of his best seasons at the Major League level, is getting some attention as well. He's posted a 3.22 ERA and held opposing hitters to a .242 average through 86.2 innings (14 starts). His 3.33 FIP and 8.7 K/9 support his success, but control is an issue, as he's also walking 4.6 per nine innings.
In contrast, Lilly's overall numbers are weaker than Gorzelanny's, but he allows far fewer baserunners. He's walking significantly fewer hitters (2.1 BB/9) and opponents are batting just .236 off him. Lilly's drawn greater interest, according to De Luca, but the Mets are currently backing down their pursuit. Part of their hesitation lies in the Cubs' asking price for the veteran lefty, but also contributing to their concerns is Lilly's drop in velocity. He's never been a flamethrower, but his fastball is averaging just 86mph, which is down from his career mark of 88.2mph.
Gorzelanny is the cheaper option between the two. He's making just $800K in 2010 and is eligible for arbitration following the season. Lilly is a free agent following the season, and while his no-trade clause is believed to include the Phillies, Twins, and Rays, he's unlikely to block a trade to a contender. His current Type A status is appealing, though he's far from a lock to be offered arbitration.
this is so stupid, reporters hate the mets… if these reporters were always right the mets would never do anything.
thats completely true. just because of last year no one thinks the Mets can do anything. they were predicted to come in fourth place!!!
Yeah, they’ve owned the last two months of the season the past few years.
doesn’t mean they don’t show bias against the mets
Now if you are the Cubs, who would you be willing to trade? Lilly, who’s a free agent at the end of the season, or Gorzelanny, who is still under team control, and can be retained for far less than any left hander they can acquire on the market? I don’t think it’s too hard to answer.
The Cubs keep Gorzelanny for their own use, this year and beyond. Lilly is available, and someone will, and should, take him, and stick him into the back of their rotation for the rest of the year. Lilly’s velocity may be down, but he still knows how to pitch. He can help in the right circumstance.
I’d sell high on both. I don’t trust Gorzellany, he had a pretty good season a few years ago with the Pirates and then stunk it up and was in the minors a season later. Obviously as a Cubs fan I’d rather have a super productive Gorz but if the offer were right, I’d take that over the chancing that he doesn’t regress again.
Well, the Pirates haven’t exactly done well with their young pitchers. I seem to recall Zach Duke having some of the same kind of up and down seasons, and Paul Maholm still shows a lot of inconsistency. I’m not sure if it’s bad pitchers that just can’t hold it together, or a coaching staff that can’t keep the youngsters moving forward.I still keep Gorzellany if I’m the Cubs. Some of his problems with the Pirates were related to an injury. I want more of a look before I send him away, especially because he has had some success in the past. I wouldn’t want to give someone up for nothing and find out he really was worth something. I imagine the Pirates are wondering if that’s what they did with Gorzelanny.
“I don’t trust Gorzellany, he had a pretty good season a few years ago with the Pirates and then stunk it up and was in the minors a season later. ”
I seem to remember another lefty starter that followed a similar path a few years ago. Clifford something or other. Hmmmm.
While I’m not saying he is the next Cliff Lee, he is a serviceable 4-5 MLB starter. Plus he is CHEAP and young. If he is traded , it had better be a haul and a half.
Gorzy texts Maddux after starts to go over the positives/negatives of that start and the two communicate often on pitching situations and approaching certain hitters. Never a bad thing. Gorzy will have some ugly days with his control, but the good days look to outweigh the bad ones. Sounds like a good, back end arm to me. Also, a LHSP that is under team control and cost effective. The Cubs need that type of player right now. Besides, the Cubs are not going to get impact players in return for Gorzelanny. To me, the Cubs are better off keeping Gorzy for the 2011 roatation.
I’d agree, but I’d also think that they should get a decent return on Lilly before they consider trading him. There’s no real need to dump (ooh, 6 mil, we can sign Xavier Nady again) his contract, and he’s a great guy in the clubhouse. If Hendry trades him now, he will have dumped his two best contracts (DeRosa and Lilly) along with two of the clubhouse leaders. They’re better off, unless they get a Godfather offer, keeping him and bringing him back, or letting him go and getting the free agent compensation. Just my opinion. But, yeah, they shouldn’t trade Gorzelanny either, he’s looked a lot smarter this year, and he’s given them 80 percent of Lilly/Dempster production, and probably 400 percent of Zambranos, at about 10 percent (or for Z, 5 percent) the cost.
I’d agree, but I’d also think that they should get a decent return on Lilly before they consider trading him. There’s no real need to dump (ooh, 6 mil, we can sign Xavier Nady again) his contract, and he’s a great guy in the clubhouse. If Hendry trades him now, he will have dumped his two best contracts (DeRosa and Lilly) along with two of the clubhouse leaders. They’re better off, unless they get a Godfather offer, keeping him and bringing him back, or letting him go and getting the free agent compensation. Just my opinion. But, yeah, they shouldn’t trade Gorzelanny either, he’s looked a lot smarter this year, and he’s given them 80 percent of Lilly/Dempster production, and probably 400 percent of Zambranos, at about 10 percent (or for Z, 5 percent) the cost.
11 of Lilly’s last 14 starts are quality starts. 3 stinkers in there, including 1 against the reds that was awful, but i thought he should have been pulled earlier than he was in that game. it still would have been a bad start, but it wouldn’t have been as horrific. it’s an impossible situation for the cubs. i don’t think they can get 2 players that equal the type a compensation, but it is a big risk to offer him arbitration in order to get those picks.
I dont mind Lilly being trade, Gorzelanny is whatever.. he’s a spot starter at best.. Cashner should replace Zambrano though.. But Ramirez and Lee and MUST trades.. right now.. The Cubs are not going to win this year if anything they will finish 5th and and maybe even 6th.. Lilly you can get a ML ready player for him.. Lee and Ramirez you might be able to get a minor league player for each of them.. If you trade those to now you can show Zambrano and Soriano the door.. Soto too.. then trade Theriot this winter and bring up Darwin Barney.. to play 2nd Vitters can play third and for now Hoffpauir can play 1st until they get a younger player for 1st… Last time i checked Hoff was hitting over .300 in Triple A Iowa.. it doesnt matter Lou Piniella ruined his Career by playing Lee over Hoff and Sori over Hoff.. he’s a better hitter and fielder then both by far.. then Fire Hendry and Rothschild thats a must… hire a real pitching coach because any one with a half a brain can see he’s horrible.. Ray Charles can see that .. Stevie Wonder can see that Rothchild is the worst in baseball